10 Essential Wardrobe Items All Photographers Must Have

In this business every photographer needs to be prepared for a photoshoot; sometimes everything’s organized but other times you need to improviser with your clients and have good ideas in the moment to give a different twist to the photos.

That’s why today we’re going to see 10 essential wardrobe items that all photographers must have in their studio. If you have a studio, maybe you know what I’m talking about, and if you’re a beginner this is something you need to know for your future projects. Let’s start this article!

1. Black Hat

A black hat is an essential item you need to have very accessible when you’re shooting, the style of the hat depends on you, but you should always have one of this in your wardrobe as a photographer. It gives you style, classy and it’s very useful for portraits and ‘ateliers’ of photography.

2. Leather/Jean Jacket

This is an item that could save you in any photoshoot, you can pass from something very classy to a little bit of high fashion trash, or if you’re doing an artistic photoshoot like a semi-nude or nude; these types of jackets can help you to cover some body parts and give a different twist to the shoot. Its aggressive and stylish and the same time!

3. Pair Of Sunglasses

If you’re a fashion photographer or you love to do portraits and you always wants a different look in each photoshoot; you need to have different pairs of sunglasses; very extreme, with different forms and colors! This will help you to create different and opposites styles. Also, it will help you to create a background decoration (art direction of the set) in case you need it.

4. Fabrics

This is one of the most important items that every photographer must have, fabrics! Yes, you need to have different types and style of fabrics; this could help you to create a dress, have an original background, create movement, maybe it’s not an essential wardrobe item, but it’s definitely a MUST! Try to find the basic ones first; white, black, brown, lace and some bright color, then you buy other styles with stamps or even better you can create your own fabric with some painting techniques!

5. Black Jacket

A black jacket is an item you need to have in your studio. Sometimes you just need the model and a black jacket, other times you can past from ordinary to classy with only using a black jacket. This item is one of my favorite ones. You can create a lot of symmetrical/geometrical photos and play with the model’s posture!

6. Body (Lingerie)

This is one of our classic items; a “body” and I’m not talk about the body of the person, I mean the “lingerie” that the women used to wear in the other decades or in the ballet. This item it’s very soft and romantic with a nice texture, it looks gorgeous in the pictures and also in the models bodies (helps to unify). Don’t forget to search a nude color, black or white (in lace or plain) this is a must for sure!

7. Gloves

These are unique pieces where you can do so many different outfits with it! If your passion it’s to innovate and create stylish/original pictures, a pair of long or short gloves will make your life easier!

8. Big Necklace

For me a big necklace is an item that photographers should have in their studio! This could be a necklace of pearls, metal, acrylic, or another material; whatever it’s your taste the most important here is to be a BIG ONE! This type of accessory can change the whole picture, if you’re a fashion photographer you’ll not regret of it!

9. Bottom Down T-Shirt

This type of t-shirt if the most “fresh/out of bed look” that every photographer loves; this is a piece that you should have in your wardrobe for the next photoshoots, I will recommend you a white one to start; and if it’s bigger, it’s better! You can buy a t-shirt for men, because the look you want is simple and casual but sexy at the same time, but also you can find another one smaller and tight for a female body; This is perfect with a pair of black pants for a classy look or with jeans for a casual one!

10. Suspenders

You’ll be surprised but a pair of suspenders will change the whole look of the model! If you like an androgyny looks this is a must in your wardrobe as a photographer! The suspenders can work out for women and men, also you can play with them as an accessory to decorate the background or in the models hands, whatever it’s your choice the suspenders is something you should have!

Here you have 10 items that will save your life during the photoshoots, with these pieces you can have creative images; mixing them or changing the whole style of the model! Good luck with your clients and see you in the next post!